USA
Archery Named as VA/USOC Grant Recipient
Funding to provide enhanced sport
programming for disabled Veterans and
disabled members of the Armed Forces
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2014
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S.
Olympic Committee (USOC), announced that USA Archery has been selected to
receive grant funding in support of Paralympic sport and physical activity
programs for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. More
than $7.5M in funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been
awarded to 70 community organizations and National Governing Bodies around the
country.
Through this program, grants ranging from $13,000 to
$500,000 were provided to USOC partner organizations and community programs to
increase the number and quality of opportunities for physically or visually
impaired Veterans to participate in physical activity within their home
communities and in more advanced Paralympic sport programs at the regional and
national levels.
"We're excited about the chance to support the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs in providing opportunities for veterans with
disabilities to enjoy archery," explained USA Archery CEO Denise Parker. "Archery
really is a sport for everyone and we're glad to be a partner in these
collaborative projects."
"This funding has allowed thousands of veterans and service members with
physical disabilities to participate in Paralympic sport at the community
level," said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC. "Through the
leadership at Veterans Affairs and within Congress, these funds have a
tremendous impact on the availability of programs across the country, not to
mention thousands of lives."
For USA Archery, the grant will provide training to instructors working with
disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces. It will also include
development of an adapted archery unit that can be provided as part of USA
Archery's current certification courses.
USA Archery will also provide opportunities, through a camp
and clinics, for disabled military members to train with members of the Para
United States Archery Team (USAT).
"Our goal is to increase opportunities for disabled veterans
and active military to get out and try archery," explained Para National Head
Coach Randi Smith. "We hope to provide additional opportunities for coaching
and instruction."
Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity has a positive effect on the rehabilitation process, self-esteem, education, employment and overall health.
For
more information about USA Archery and its programs, please contact [email protected].
USA Archery is the National Governing Body for the Olympic sport of
archery in the United States. USA Archery selects and trains Olympic,
Paralympic, World Championship, and World Cup teams, as well as developing
archery at the grassroots level across the United States. For more
information, visit http://www.usarchery.org.
The grant funding
for this program is awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic
Committee, through funding provided by Veterans Affairs. The grants are
provided to facilitate the growth of Paralympic sport programming for disabled
Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.
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